Dies Natalis: Illuminating science for transitions

The Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research cordially invites you to attend the celebration of the 102nd Dies Natalis on Monday 9th March 2020. The title of this year’s celebration is: Illuminating science for transitions.

Contact HS (Hedy) Wessels-van Blijenburgh

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Illuminating science for transitions

By putting SDGs centre stage, science shows its commitment to contributing to major transitions in energy, food, agriculture and other areas. Addressing these major challenges of tomorrow necessitates fundamental new insights, concepts and knowledge. Hence, the importance of curiosity-driven creative scientists with no other immediate goal than unravelling fundamental physical, chemical, social or biological processes (such as photosynthesis) cannot be - but sometimes is - underestimated. ‘Science for transition’ also requires the transition of science itself. Open science, citizen science, team science, revaluing research metrics and education, and other changes are to be welcomed. But such ‘science in transition’ will not change the ambition for high quality science.

This year’s ceremony highlights the importance of basic science in our domain. Biologist Professor Donald Ort from the University of Illinois will discuss his fundamental work on photosynthesis. Three young Wageningen scientists will reflect on their fundamental scientific work in relation to transitions. Rector Magnificus Arthur Mol will illuminate on the kind of transitions in science we may expect.

The official Dies Natalis celebration will be preceded by a symposium organised by the Wageningen Graduate Schools.

Programme Dies Natalis 2020

[Coming soon]

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